Microsoft AI boss Mustafa Suleiman says AI will replace most white-collar jobs in 12 months
Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleiman believes that AI could replace most white-collar jobs, including lawyers, accountants and others, within the next year. His comments come days after Anthropic’s cloud cowork shook up shares of SaaS companies.
Microsoft AI boss Mustafa Suleiman has warned that AI may soon come to take away most white-collar jobs. Not only coders, but professionals like lawyers and accountants can also see their work automated by AI.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Suleiman revealed that Microsoft was pushing for a larger share of the enterprise market with “professional-grade AGI”. He referred to it as an AI model that can do almost everything that a human professional does. This will allow Microsoft to provide its customers with powerful AI tools that will be able to perform routine tasks for knowledge workers.
Suleiman predicted that there will be significant changes in the workforce in the future. He acknowledged that almost everyone who does their work on a computer may be at risk. “White-collar jobs – those that sit in front of a computer, whether lawyers, accountants, project managers, or marketers – the majority of these tasks will be completely automated by AI within the next 12 to 18 months,” the Microsoft AI boss explained.
The Microsoft AI chief’s comments come at a time when more companies are looking towards using AI. Anthropic’s cloud cowork shook the stock markets a few days ago when the model threatened the future of SaaS companies like Infosys and TCS.
Microsoft AI boss says building AI models will be like making a podcast
Suleiman believes that as AI advances, it will become easier to create new models that can be tailored to specific needs. He compared it to how one can easily write a blog or create a podcast. The Microsoft AI boss explained, “Creating a new model will be as easy as creating a podcast or writing a blog. In the future, it will be possible to design AI tailored to the needs of every institution and individual on Earth.”
Additionally, Suleiman said that within the next two to three years, AI agents will be able to become more efficient in terms of handling the workflow of larger institutions.
The Microsoft boss also hinted that the company is going to double down on its AI models in the future to reduce its dependence on OpenAI, following a new agreement between the two companies. He added, “We decided this is a moment when we must prepare to achieve true AI self-sufficiency.” Suleman has teased that Microsoft’s new AI models could launch in 2026.
